Darryl J Carrington is bringing his family-friendly show to the Edinburgh Fringe this year. I have caught up with him before the inevitable chaos begins.

What’s your show called for Edinburgh Fringe 2025?

My show is called Out of the Box.

How long have you been doing the Edinburgh Fringe?

I’ve doing the Fringe for at least 10 years, in many different guises, from learning to do circle shows on the street, hosting a comedy club (Bristol underground comedy as part of the Free Fringe, as a circus performer in many different venues.

But this is my first time doing an indoor solo show with one of the big four, I’m being hosted by Underbelly.

How do you cope with the overwhelming chaos that the Fringe brings?

I love the chaos!! It’s so magical that all these amazing artists, creatives and producers all meet and collaborate for a month to create an incredible festival.

I love a Scottish breakfast, so that’s a big part of my day, I like to go swimming in the sea and ride my bike to relax.

Also, it’s a great time to meet up with friends and grand check out the incredible restaurants that Edinburgh has to offer!

What sort of shows will see if you have time?

I’m a big fan of the tattoo having been brought up by my father in the navy, so its always very nostalgic for me.

I love listening to the bagpipe players.

I try to see a real variety of things from large scale productions as part of the festival, like James Thiérrée

I love to see circus shows, like Tweedy the Clown and Sophie’s 29th birthday.

I’m a big stand up comedy fan also, so will try to catch some big names, like James Acaster or Fern Brady, and I love alternative comics like Spencer Jones, Bec Hill and Marcel Lucont. I also love to see newer comics also in the Free Fringe.

And being a clown I always love to discover and see folks working in a similar vein to me, I always look out for recommendations from friends and colleagues, I think its one of the best things of the Fringe that we have the chance to be exposed to so many incredible artists, its very inspiring.

Have you performed at any other Fringe’s? If so which has been your favourite so far?

I have performed at Ventnor Fringe and also Brighton Fringe.

I just won the Best Family Friendly Show award at Brighton Fringe, which was awesome!

But Edinburgh has a special place in my heart, it’s where I started working in a non verbal way thanks to Edinburgh street legend Herbie Treehead helping me with my show. I also love the Scottish Summer, it’s the perfect temperature for me and with that glorious sea breeze, I love it!

Any advice to newbies about flyering?

Do something that brings you joy when you flyer, and that ideally gives the audience a feel of what the tone or humour of the show is. I wander around with remote control car controller following a carrier bag that’s being blown by the wind, so it looks like I’m controlling it. If people laugh I give them a flyer as they get my humour. But generally be nice and think of a nice short strap line, I always describe my show as like Mr Bean with tricks, or if Vic and Bob were at the circus.

What are your plans for the show after the Edinburgh Fringe?

I’m going on tour!!! I’m working with Makin projects and they’re booking my 2026 tour, so check out the website for dates. As the shows non verbal I also tour all over the world! Which is so exciting, I’m constantly pinching myself that this is my job!

Please feel free to add anything you would like to as well. You know your show better than anyone.

My show is billed as family-friendly, but it’s not a kid’s show. I’m playing to the adults a bit like a Pixar movie, the kids are welcome and love the show. But one of the most common comments I get is that the parents would have come without their kids and that they haven’t laughed that much in ages. I designed the show so everyone is welcome, I have ADHD and wanted to create a theatre experience where everyone can enjoy the show in a way they choose, so I have the house lights up so it doesn’t feel like a classroom where the audience feels more relaxed, it’s a lot of fun and can’t wait!

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/out-of-the-box

https://underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/event/out-of-the-box

https://www.darryljcarrington.com/tour-dates